State of the Bluebonnet

Irene Keller

May 3, 2026

Bluebonnets replace dull fields of winter,

promise new beginnings, renewed hope;

natural freedom of blue dissuades being

uprooted for personal wants of ownership.

A bluebonnet put into the hands of every child

to place on one preferred altar, as ancient stories

are taught, inhibits youth’s need to skip through

bonnets of blue that kiss the wind not owned.

The Key

The title offers a double meaning: the state flower bluebonnet is a familiar symbol for Texas; the title is also a bureaucratic reference to TEA’s corrupt use of bluebonnet as a title for the K-5 Bluebonnet Learning curriculum that includes biblical stories, an influential means of building Christian nationalism, while also violating separation of church and state.  

The hinge poem contrasts the natural, free-flowing wave of bluebonnets to TEA’s misleading use of the nonpartisan, beauty of the state flower, camouflaging the promotion of one religion, with a money incentive for financially challenged ISDs to adopt. 

The poem applies the environmental camouflage theme: bluebonnets are not to be owned by anyone, a metaphor for religious freedom.  

Irene Keller, PhD. A former Texas public educator who can now indulge herself in the world of poetry.